Joe Silva: Andrei Arlovski Currently Unbooked

Since his unanimous decision victory over Fabricio Werdum at UFC 70 in April, he’s been the focus of MMAjunkie.com’s ongoing question: “Where is Andrei Arlovski?”

Prior to the April 21 fight, UFC president Dana White went as far as saying that a victory over Werdum would likely earn the UFC’s former heavyweight champion a title shot.

Arlovski won the fight via unanimous decision, but the title shot never came. In fact, as of today, Arlovski’s name hasn’t even surfaced as part of a legitimate rumored bout. Additionally, UFC matchmaker Joe Silva says Arlovski hasn’t been booked for a fight, according to the Houston Chronicle‘s Steve Sievert.

Additionally, according to UFC president Dana White (from Brawl Sports):

“(Arlovski’s) last showing wasn’t very great. That hurts a guy. It sets you back when you have a real bad showing like that, especially when you’re in a division that’s stacked.”

If that’s the UFC’s policy, so be it.

But it begs the question: did White and other UFC officials see Matt Hughes’ uninspiring decision victory over Chris Lytle at UFC 68? After all, Hughes lost his belt to Georges St. Pierre at UFC 65, returned for a lackluster defeat of Lytle at UFC 68, and has now been promised a title shot with current champ Matt Serra on Dec. 29.

Arlovski’s two showings were no worse than Hughes’ one. (Not to mention the UFC’s welterweight division is twice as stacked as the heavyweight division.)

So why the double standard?

MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com) contacted Arlovski’s camp over the weekend, and again, we were told the fighter has not been booked for any upcoming fights — even with his now-four-month layoff since his last bout.

Despite being a likable, marketable and talented fighter, Arlovski sure seems to have earned the wrath of the UFC since losing his title (and subsequent rematch) to Tim Sylvia.

But what about that next fight?

October’s UFC 77 event now has eight rumored bouts, and though it’s far from a terrible card, it could really use a punch of starpower. Why not add Arlovski? With Arlovski training out of Chicago, it’d be a quick one-hour flight (or four-hour drive) for his Windy City fans.

UFC women’s bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey is probably the greatest female fighter on the planet, which is a tremendous feat. So why are we seemingly so obsessed with arguing about whether she could beat up men?